Legendary management consultant Peter Drucker said, “Quality in a service or product is not what you put into it. It is what the client or customer gets out of it.” That’s the point Buy the Sea owners Mike and Samantha Stokes make when they challenge you to “Taste The Difference”. Buy the Sea has been open in Penticton for 24+ years on Main Street and in West Kelowna on Louie Drive for 5+ years with a passion from the beginning for freshness, flavour and quality. Says Mike, “Our seafood comes to us direct – no lengthy supply chain, and often overnight from boat to store. As fresh as vendors on the BC Coast, our promise is that you will taste the difference!”
Before moving to the Okanagan, Mike spent much of his life on Vancouver Island at Campbell River where he managed a large marine business that worked closely with commercial and recreational fishermen. This background has served him well. “We know our fish, where it’s from, how it was caught, and how to cook it,” says Mike. Offering the largest selection of Sockeye Salmon, Halibut, Marlin, Spot Prawns, Oysters, Pickerel, Ahi Tuna and other fish in the South Okanagan, Buy the Sea has shipments arriving off the boat overnight three-to-five times weekly. Besides selling restaurant quality and sushi-grade fish that is plump and juicy, Samantha and Mike enjoy cooking it and are delighted to provide cooking tips and free recipes. If you don’t want to cook it yourself, both locations offer Fish n’ Chips, Oysters, Prawns, Seafood Chowders and Baja Fish Tacos to eat in or take away. The menu gets excellent TripAdvisor reviews with accolades such as “fantastic, awesome, and best” for the halibut and chips.
The commitment extends to finding healthy, sustainable sources. In 2012, Buy the Sea became a member of the Vancouver Aquarium Ocean Wise™ conversation program. Sustainability at home is also cherished as it supports local businesses, for example, buying product such as Road 17 Arctic Char and Wrap It Up Tortilla. On the stores’ shelves, you’ll find seafood companion items including local favourites Okanagan Wineland Dressings and Little Miss Chief Wild Smoked Salmon. For further information, store hours or to preview the menu, seasonal specialties and products, see buythesea.ca
~ Roslyne Buchanan